Last year, when the pandemic brought the airline and hospitality industries almost to a standstill, Maurice Gallagher, chairman and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company began conceptualizing approaches that would allow people to gather again safely. The resultant partnership between UC Davis and Gallagher has now led to a new rapid COVID-19 test.
The novel test combines mass spectrometry with a powerful machine learning platform to detect SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swabs. The mass spectrometer can analyze samples in minutes, with the entire process taking a total of about 20 minutes. The accuracy matches or outperforms many of the current COVID-19 screening tests. The new testing method may allow for the rapid screening of large numbers of individuals for businesses, schools, venues, and other large facilities. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
‘"This game-changing, rapid new COVID-19 test speaks to the deep expertise of our faculty and scientists to find novel solutions to pressing global health challenges," said Allison Brashear, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine. "It's this kind of innovation and collaboration that has been the hallmark of our response to the pandemic."’
This is the first test for COVID-19 that pairs mass spectrometry with robotics and a robust automated machine learning platform to rapidly deliver test results. The coupling of these unique elements not only allows testing for COVID-19 but may be able to quickly adapt to detect other diseases and perhaps future pandemic organisms.
Photo: UC Davis and SpectraPass have developed a 20-minute COVID-19 test that pairs a mass spectrometer with a powerful machine-learning platform to detect SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swabs. Credit: UC Davis Health